Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir announced that May 25th will be observed as “Pakistan Martyrs Day” to honor slain soldiers. The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. General Munir expressed his grief at recent attacks on military installations and memorials during the violence on May 9th. He called the actions “intolerable.”
On May 9th, violent protests erupted after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan by paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad. His party workers vandalized a dozen military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander house, Mianwali airbase, and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time.
General Munir stressed that a strong army guarantees the security and unity of the country. The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior military officers and families of slain soldiers. General Munir awarded military medals to the families of slain soldiers, and 51 kin of slain soldiers received Sitara-e-Imtiaz (military), while 22 officers and jawans were awarded Tamgha-e-Basalat. Two officers were awarded the United Nations Special Medal.
